NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

GULFPORT WOMAN BUYS A $14 LICENSE,
VENDOR THROWS IN A FREE $20,000 BOAT

July 16, 2001
Contact: Bob Wattendorf (850) 488-0331

Donna Grabert of Gulfport picked a good time - and definitely a good place - to buy her Florida fishing license. She bought her $14 (plus $1.95 convenience fee) license over the Internet at eAngler.com before June 15, and her name went into the hat for the free boat drawing.

July 5, Ms. Grabert received notice she had won the $20,000 Cobia 194 Console Boat with a Yamaha 150-HP Saltwater Series Engine and a trailer. She will take possession of the prize at 11 a.m. July 18 at the Salty Sol Boat Ramp on Gandy Boulevard in Tampa.

Michael Davis, founder and chief executive officer of eAngler, said the 1.2 million licensed anglers in Florida like the convenience of buying their licenses instantly on-line.

"Even the 25 percent of Florida's licensed anglers who live in other states can purchase their fishing and hunting licenses any time of any day, and it only takes a few minutes," Davis said.

Allan L. Egbert, Ph.D., executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said the boat-giveaway promotion provided a boost to the agency's fisheries conservation efforts. It motivated borderline anglers to go ahead and purchase licenses. Licensed anglers also generate an average of $4 each in revenue for the state through federal taxes they pay on fishing tackle and motorboat fuel purchases.

Although the boat giveaway promotion is over, the FWC and sponsors have another promotion underway for resident anglers who buy 5-year freshwater fishing licenses during July.

"Buy a 5-year freshwater license for $61.50, and you will receive a free assortment of fishing lures, hooks, equipment, magazines, coupons and other premiums," said Bob Wattendorf of the FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries. "In fact, the premiums are worth more than the price you'll pay for the license.".